Archdiocesan priests celebrate ordination anniversaries

Each year we honor the archdiocesan priests celebrating special jubilees. They have dedicated themselves to serving the Lord through the church in the Archdiocese of Chicago, and they often wear many hats, such as administrator, maintenance man, cook, accountant, friend. They have been parish priests, but also teachers, chaplains and counselors. Chicago Catholic congratulates and thanks them.

75 years

Monsignor Charles Meyer, 99, was born in Chicago and is the oldest faculty member of Mundelein Seminary and the oldest priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

He attended St. Andrew School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was ordained in February 1945 and went to Rome for further studies at the Gregorian University. During his time in Rome, he met Pope Pius XII. “I found him a very interesting man, he shook my hand and gave me a blessing,” Meyer recalled, according to an article on the website of the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

In 1947, Meyer was assigned to Mundelein Seminary as a professor of dogmatic theology, where he continued to teach until November 2014. In addition to teaching, he worked with the library and in formation of priests. He is the author of five books and lives at Presence St. Benedict Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Niles.

50 years

Bishop Edward Braxton, 76, was born in Chicago and attended Blessed Sacrament School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. He has a doctorate in theology from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, and a post-doctoral fellowship from the University of Chicago Divinity School.

In the archdiocese, he served as associate pastor at Holy Name Cathedral Parish (1970-1971), Sacred Heart Parish, Winnetka (1971-1973) and St. Felicitas Parish (1975-1976); and as pastor of St. Catherine of Sienna Parish (1992-1995).

He also served as the Catholic chaplain at Chicago State University and visiting professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame (1978-1979); special assistant for theological affairs to Bishop James Hickey in the Diocese of Cleveland (1978-1980); chancellor for theological affairs for Cardinal James Hickey in the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. (1980-1983); scholar in residence at North American College, Rome (1984); peritus for the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar in Kinshasa, Zaire (now Congo) (1984); and director of Calvert House at the University of Chicago (1983-1986).

On March 28, 1995, he was appointed an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. He was installed as bishop of the Diocese of Lake Charles, Louisiana in 2001 and as bishop of the Diocese of Belleville in 2005.

Father Robert Burnell, 76, was born in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and attended St. Laurence School in Chicago, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as associate pastor at St. Thomas of Villanova, Palatine; St. John Bosco; St. Ladislaus; St. Benedict (Irving Park Road); St. Mary, Riverside; as administrator of St. Rosalie, Harwood Heights, and Our Lady of Charity, Cicero; and as pastor of St. Martha, Morton Grove; and St. Hugh, Lyons. He is pastor emeritus of St. Hugh.

He is also a knight commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Father Louis Cameli, 75, was born in Chicago Heights. He attended St. Agnes School, Chicago Heights; Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College; the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary; and North American College and Gregorian University in Rome.

He served as associate pastor of Our Lady of the Angels (1970-1971) and St. Gertrude (1974-1975); as professor and spiritual director at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (1975-1997); as director of ongoing formation for priests (1997-2005); pastor of Divine Savior (2005-2009) and as the Cardinal’s Delegate for Formation and Mission (2009-present).

Father John Cusick, 74, was born in Chicago and attended Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as associate pastor of Mary, Seat of Wisdom Parish (1970-1977); was on the faculty of Niles College (1977-1985) and founder and coordinator of young adult ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago (1977-1985). He served as director of young adult ministry and was in residence at Old Saint Patrick’s Church (1985-2013). He was on the faculty at Loyola University-Chicago’s Institute of Pastoral Studies and the University of Notre Dame. He has received many awards and honors for his work in young adult ministry. He retired from active ministry in 2014.

Father John Doyle, 76, served as associate pastor of St. Margaret Mary (1970-1975); Queen of Martyrs, Evergreen Park (1975-1981); St. Albert the Great, Burbank (1981-1986); St. George, Tinley Park (1986-1992); St. Alphonsus, Lemont as resident and associate pastor (1992-1993); Queen of Martyrs, Evergreen Park (1993-2002); Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor (2002-2012). He retired from active ministry in 2014.

Father Thomas Franzman, 75, was born in Evanston and attended St. Margaret Mary School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as associate pastor at St. Bede, Ingleside, (1970-1977); Holy Name Cathedral (1977-1982); as rectory of Quigley Seminary North (1982-1990); pastor of St. Michael (1990-2004); as director of the archdiocese’s Department of Evangelization (2004-2007); director of the Sheil Catholic Center at Northwestern University (2007-2009); chief campaign and stewardship officer at the University of St. Mary of the Lake (2009-2011) and provost of the University of St. Mary of the Lake (2011-2016). He retired from active ministry in 2016.

Father Michael Hack, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Joseph School, Homewood; Quigley Preparatory Seminary; Niles College; the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary; and St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada.

He served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Knock, Calumet City (1970-1972); St. Anne, Hazel Crest (1972-1978); Ascension, Harvey (1978-1979); St. Gerald, Oak Lawn (1979-1983); as resident of St. Christina (1983-1996); and pastor of Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor (1996-2004) and St. Michael, Orland Park (2004-2009). He was a resident at Notre Dame de Chicago (2009-2014) until his retirement from active ministry in 2014. Hack also served as the archdiocesan judicial vicar (1993-2004 and 2009-2014).

Father Thomas Hickey, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Margaret of Scotland School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and Creighton University.

He served as associate pastor at Ascension, Oak Park (1970-1975); in team ministry at St. James, (Wabash Avenue) (1977-1985); as dean of formation at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary (1986-1996); and as pastor of St. Clement (1996-2007) and Our Lady of Perpetual Help (2007-2014).

He also served as director of the Cana Conference Chicago (1975-1981) and as director of INSEARCH (2014-2020).

Father James Kehoe, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Matthew School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and Loyola University-Chicago.

He served as associate pastor of St. Theresa, Palatine (1970-1976); with Catholic Relief Services in Ghana, West Africa (1976-1977); as associate pastor of St. Edward (1977-1983) and St. Ferdinand (1983-1988); as pastor of Nativity of Our Lord (1989-2005); as interim pastor at St. Ferdinand (2006-2007); and as pastor of St. Joan of Arc, Skokie (2007-2013). He is pastor emeritus of St. Joan of Arc.

Father Andrew Luczak, 77, was born in Chicago and attended Our Lady of Lourdes School, Loyola Academy, Loyola University-Chicago and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as associate pastor of St. Philomena (1970-1977); St. Paul of the Cross, Western Springs (1977-1984); and St. Edward (1984-1993) and as pastor of St. Lambert, Skokie (1993-2006) and St. Isaac Jogues (2006-2016).

Since 1993, Luczak has served as a member of the Buddhist-Catholic dialogue in the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. He has also served as an advisor to the archdiocese’s Asian ministry.

Father Patrick Lyons, 75, was born in Chicago and attended St. Kilian School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as associate pastor of Little Flower (1970-1976); St. Giles, Oak Park (1976-1983); St. Eugene (1983-1989); and Queen of Martyrs, Evergreen Park (1989-1999) and as associate pastor and pastor of Our Lady of Knock (1999-2011). He has also served as an adviser to the Archdiocesan Women’s Committee.

Father Ronald Mass, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Lambert School, Skokie; Quigley Preparatory Seminary; Niles College; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as associate pastor at St. Barnabas (1970-1971); St. Denis (1971-1977); St. Peter Damian, Bartlett (1977-1982); St. Emily, Mount Prospect (1982-1984); and as pastor of Our Lady of Loretto, Homewood (1984-1997), and Incarnation, Palos Heights (1997-2014). He is pastor emeritus of Incarnation.

Mass also served on the archdiocesan Presbyteral Council for over 20 years.

Father Thomas Nangle grew up in St. Juliana Parish, Edison Park, and attended archdiocesan seminaries including the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served at Holy Name Cathedral and Christ the King and St. Clement parishes before being appointed a chaplain to the Chicago Police Department by Cardinal John Cody. He serves as a chaplain to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Father Eugene Nowak, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Ferdinand School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as associate pastor of St. Joseph, Libertyville (1970-1975); St. Ansgar, Hanover Park (1975-1979); and as pastor of Precious Blood (1979-1985); St. Kieran, Chicago Heights (1985-1991); St. Hubert, Hoffman Estates (1991-2005); and St. Gilbert, Grayslake (2005-2013), where he serves as pastor emeritus.

Father John Parker, 76, served as associate pastor of St. Odilo, Berwyn (1970-1977); St. Andrew (1977-1984); St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park (1984-1986); as pastor of St. Andrew (1986-2001); as associate pastor, administrator and pastor of All Saints/St. Anthony (2002-2014); and as administrator of Nativity of Our Lord (2005). He has been pastor emeritus of All Saints/St. Anthony since 2014.

Father Michael Place, 75, was born in Chicago and attended Haven Elementary School in Evanston, Evanston Township High School, the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary and Catholic University of America.

He served as associate pastor at Most Holy Redeemer (1970-1974). He also served on the faculty of the University of St. Mary of the Lake (1977-1981); as dean of the Athenaeum of Ohio (1981-1984); as theologian and consul to the curia of the Archdiocese of Chicago (1984-1998); as president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association (1998-2005); as senior vice president at Resurrection Health Care (2005-2010) and chief ethics officer at Franciscan Alliance (2010-present).

He is a knight commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and served as chair of the International Federation of Catholic Health Institutions (1999-2012), along with other national and international committees and organizations.

Father William Veith, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Nicholas of Tolentine School, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as associate pastor of St. John Brebeuf (1970-1976) and St. Raymond, Mount Prospect (1976-1981). Since 1981, he has served as priest chaplain at Alexian Brothers Medical Center.

Father Thomas Winikates, 76, was born in Chicago and attended St. Veronica and St. Juliana Schools, Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Niles College and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He served as associate pastor at St. Joseph, Summit (1970-1976); St. Bernadette, Evergreen Park (1977-1983); Ford City Catholic Center (1983-1989), St. Leonard, Berwyn (1989-1995); Infant Jesus of Prague, Flossmoor (1995-2000); and Divine Infant/Mary Mother of Grace, Westchester (2000-present).

25 years

Father David Arcila, 54, was born in Bogata, Colombia. He attended elementary and secondary school as well as undergraduate college there before entering the major seminary of the Discalced Carmelites, also in Colombia, and he earned master’s degrees in divinity (1994) and pastoral counseling (2000).

He served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Bogata (1995-1996); was rector of the Discalced Carmelites Major Seminary (2000-2004); and was pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Cucata, Colombia (2005-2006); Santa Maria del Popolo, Mundelein (2006-2017). He has served as pastor of St. Stephen Protomartyr, Des Plaines, since 2017.

Father Brian Ardagh, 50, was born in Chicago and attended St. Gall School and Quigley South Preparatory Seminary. He earned bachelor’s degrees in political science and philosophy at Niles College of Loyola University and a master’s in divinity at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor at St. Elizabeth Seton, Orland Hills (1995-2001) and Sacred Heart, Palos Hills (2001-2008). He has been pastor of St. Alphonsus, Lemont, since 2008.

Father Matthew Eyerman, 56, was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and attended St. Giles School, Oak Park, and Quigley North Preparatory Seminary. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Kenyon College and a master’s degree in divinity at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Agatha (1995-1999), and pastor of St. Columbanus (1999-2011). He has been pastor of St. Malachy + Precious Blood since 2011.

Father Christopher M. Gustafson, 57, was born in Evergreen Park and attended elementary school at St. Margaret of Scotland and St. Germaine, Oak Lawn; Marist High School; the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in government and international relations; Chicago Kent College of Law, where he earned a law degree; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, where he earned a master’s degree in divinity and baccalaureate in sacred theology.

He served at Sacred Heart Parish, Winnetka, as a deacon and during his first year of priesthood, while he was continuing his studies; was associate pastor of St. Christina (1996-1999); St. Mary, Lake Forest (1999-2004); and Our Lady of Ransom, Niles (2004-2006). He served as administrator and pastor of Our Lady of Ransom (2007-2019) before being appointed pastor of St. Norbert and Our Lady of the Brook Parish, Northbrook.

Father Robert Keener, 60, was born in Chicago and attended St. John Brebeuf School and Notre Dame High School, both in Niles. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and political science before entering the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, where he earned a master’s degree in divinity.

He served as associate pastor of Our Lady of the Ridge, Chicago Ridge (1995-1999) and St. Anne, Hazel Crest (2000-2004). He has served as a U.S. Navy chaplain since 1994, currently as the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion chaplain at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, with the rank of lieutenant commander.

Father George Koeune, 54, was born in Des Plaines and attended North School, St. Mary School and Maine West High School, all in Des Plaines. He then went to Niles College, Loyola University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in philosophy, and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, where he earned a master’s degree in divinity and a doctorate in ministry.

He was associate pastor of St. Issac Jogues, Niles (1995-2000), and Queen of All Saints Basilica (2000-2006). He was pastor of St. Eugene (2006-2018) and has been pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes, Antioch, since 2018.

Father Joseph Thai Nguyen, 66, was born in Ha Dong; Vietnam, and attended elementary school there. He attended secondary school at St. Teresa and college at St. Thomas Aquinas, both in Long Xuyen, Vietnam, before attending University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, where he earned a master’s degree in divinity.

He was associate pastor of St. Andrew (1995-2000) and Our Lady of Mount Carmel (2000-2005) in Chicago before moving to California. He was associate pastor of St. Angela Merici, Brea (2005-2006), and St. Columban, Garden Grove (2006-2010), before being named administrator of the Vietnamese Catholic Center (2010-2015). He was associate pastor of St. Barbara, Santa Ana (2015-2019). He has served as associate pastor of Our Lady of Lavang,  Santa Ana,  since 2019.

Father Joseph T. Noonan, 56, was born in the Chicago area and attended Frankfort Junior High and Lincoln-Way High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Purdue University, a master’s degree in divinity and a baccalaureate in sacred theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. Francis Borgia (1995-2001), assistant recruiter for Mundelein Seminary (2001-2002) and vocation director for the Archdiocese of Chicago (2002-2011). He has served as pastor of St. Damian, Oak Forest, since 2011.

Father Esequiel Sanchez, 51, was born in Chicago and attended Eli Whitney School, Curie High School and Niles College of Loyola University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in social psychology. He earned a master’s degree in divinity and a baccalaureate in sacred theology at University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of Our Lady of Grace (1995-1998), administrator of St. Mark (2000-2001) and pastor of Holy Trinity Croatian (2002-2005); Mary Queen of Heaven, Cicero (2005-2011); and St. Bede the Venerable (Kostner Avenue) (2011-2016). He has served as the rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe since 2016.

He has also served as the archdiocesan director of Hispanic ministry, vice chair of the National Association of Hispanic Priests, chair of the Midwest Catholic Association of Hispanic Ministry, vice chair of the Priest Placement Board, chair of the archdiocesan Consejo Pastoral and dean of Vicariate I Deanery F. He also has been a member of the Instituto del Liderazgo Pastoral board, the Presbyteral Council, the sabbatical board and the Casa Jesus Board.

Father Walter J. Takuski, 54, was born in Stare Bystre, Poland, and went to elementary and high school there. He attended the major seminary of the Archdiocese of Krakow; Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan; and the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, where he earned a master’s degree in divinity. He also has a licentiate and a doctorate in sacred theology, both from the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow.

He served as associate pastor of St. Ladislaus (1995-1997) and St. Ferdinand (1997-2002). He was associate dean of formation at Mundelein Seminary (2002-2005) and then was part-time associate pastor of St. John the Evangelist, Streamwood, and St. Thomas Becket, Mount Prospect (2005-2009). He was pastor of St. Peter Damian Parish, Bartlett (2009-2016).

Father Gerald G. Walsh, 50, was born in Chicago and attended Our Lady of Lourdes School and Quigley North Preparatory Seminary. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in philosophy at Niles College of Loyola University and a doctorate in ministry at the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary.

He was associate pastor of St. James, Arlington Heights (1995-1996); St. George, Tinley Park (1996-2001); and St. Francis Borgia (2001-2005) before joining the faculty at Quigley Preparatory Seminary (2005-2007) and then serving as director of recruitment and formation at St. Joseph College Seminary (2007-2011). He was associate pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Glenview (2011-2014) before being named pastor of Prince of Peace, Lake Villa.

Father Jacek Wrona, 51, was born in Brzesko, Poland, and attended elementary and high school there. He attended the major seminary in Tarnów, and did post-graduate studies at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, where he earned a master’s degree in homiletics and a licentiate in pastoral theology and at John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, where he earned a doctorate in pastoral theology.

After ordination in Poland, he was associate pastor of St. Catherine of Alexandria, Grybów, Poland (1995-1998). He was associate pastor of St. Constance (2002-2007) and St. Theresa, Palatine (2007-2009). He was administrator and pastor of St. Ladislaus (2009-2013) and rector of Bishop Abramowicz Seminary (2013-2016). He has been pastor of Sacred Heart, Palos Hills, since 2016.